5 Mistakes Most People Make When Testing Signal Strength

Problems with the connection are one of the most annoying things to deal with. A phone call interrupts, a movie online stutters, a checkout ends in an error — there’s plenty that can go wrong here. Which is why it’s important to understand what the problem is, so you can fix it quickly.

To do that, you first need to check signal strength. However, it’s easy to get things incorrectly, which can result in assumptions that are way off the mark. In this article, we’ll explore 5 common mistakes people make when testing signal strength and how to avoid them.

1. Ignoring Environmental Factors

One of the most common mistakes is not considering the surroundings. People assume that their device will be able to operate just as well anywhere, but in reality, the environment does play a critical role. Thick walls, metal shields, and household electronic devices could interfere with the signal.

Measuring signal strength in places with poor conditions, such as inside buildings with concrete walls or near electronics, can give you a false reading. For instance, if you are trying to measure the signal in a basement, you’ll get a weak reading simply due to the physical obstructions. Not because there’s an issue with the network.

Always test your signal strength in an open area with minimal interference. Try moving around in your space or stepping outside if possible. This way, you’ll get a more accurate reading. A professional provider like UCtel can offer you more information on network coverage.

2. Relying Too Much on Signal Bars

Another mistake is placing too much trust in the signal bars. It’s easy to think that more bars mean a better connection, but those are actually a fairly rough estimate. They don’t provide accurate information about the quality of your signal. They usually only indicate the relative strength of the signal when checked compared to other signals in the area, and the interpretation can differ from device to device.

For example, two phones might have different numbers of bars when they are in the same location. This is because various phones measure signal strength using different algorithms, and that creates variations. In addition, signal bars do not reveal important information like signal quality, network congestion, or interference, all of which affect your experience.

Instead of depending on bars, turn to more stable signal strength monitors. Most smartphones these days come with a built-in field test mode, which presents detailed information about your signal strength.

There are also third-party apps showing better representations of signal quality. Turning to a service provider like UCtel might also give you a better understanding of the situation.

3. Not Considering Network Type

Signal strength is not just the amount of bars that you see on your phone. It is also a factor of the type of network that you are connected to. Not many people notice what network (2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G) they are using when measuring signal strength, but this can be a big error.

Different network types support different levels of coverage and speed. Assuming poor signal strength on a particular network type to be a general network issue may be misleading.

For example, if you are on 3G or 2G in a coverage-poor area, you might have a weak signal, but 4G or 5G might be just fine. Sometimes, there might be a good 5G signal available, but your phone might still be staying on a slower, older type of network due to compatibility issues.

Here are the key types of networks you need to be aware of:

• 2G (GSM). Provides only simple connectivity for calls and texts, with slower data speeds. Signal strength tends to be weaker and less stable.
• 3G (UMTS). Faster than 2G but not suitable for data-heavy use. Its reception could be stronger in rural areas compared to newer networks, but it still offers weaker connectivity.
• 4G (LTE). Offers quick internet and is generally more reliable for video calling, streaming, and web surfing. Ideal signal strength on 4G means greater speeds and performance.
• The latest and fastest network offering ultra-high-speed data and negligible latency. 5G can have poor coverage, especially in rural regions, but where available, offers the strongest signal.

Never forget to test what kind of network you’re on when checking signal strength. On most phones, you can find this in settings or from the field test mode. If your phone is on an older network, switching to a newer network can help improve the signal.

4. Focusing Too Much on One Device

Many test the signal on a single device and consider that the network is at fault. But the signal can also be evaluated based on the hardware. For example, a faulty antenna, outdated software, or even a dirty SIM slot can make your device fail to pick up a good signal, even if the network is good.

Check the signal strength on more than one device to eliminate the chance of a device-specific fault. If other devices are picking up a strong signal in the same area, the issue is probably with the device itself rather than the network.

5. Forgetting to Test at Different Times of the Day

Signal strength also varies during the day based on a variety of factors such as network congestion, time of day, or even weather.

During peak hours when there are more people accessing mobile data or making calls, the network might become busy, slowing down and lowering signal strength. During off-peak hours, however, the signal strength might be greater because fewer people are accessing the network.

To get a better sense of your signal strength, test at varying times of day. Test both peak and non-peak hours to see if the signal is different based on network traffic. This will help you figure out if the issue is one of network congestion or a more long-term signal problem.

Conclusion

Testing signal strength is key if you want to diagnose your network problems. It’s easy to make simple mistakes that can lead to incorrect conclusions. There are many factors you need to keep in mind so you can better understand what influences the strength of your signal. This, in turn, will help you take the appropriate measures to improve the connection.